A Hall County patrol deputy resigned following his arrest in an early-morning domestic dispute in which he broke into his ex-wife’s house, officials said.

Howard Rowland, 30, of Clermont, who worked for the Hall County Sheriff’s Office for about 18 months, was arrested early Monday by White County deputies on charges of burglary and criminal damage to property, Hall County Sheriff’s Col. Jeff Strickland said.

Rowland was accused of forcing his way into his ex-wife’s home and damaging property inside the house, Strickland said.

Following an investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s internal affairs unit, Rowland resigned, Strickland said. He had no prior disciplinary record.

"This is an unfortunate incident, but we do not condone this type of activity by anyone associated with the sheriff’s office," Strickland said.